Deliver real change and real results for your school. This book focuses directly on what promotes delivery. It provides the practical tools and implementation guide for re-invigorating your school. Set against a solid blend of international research and international best practice, the narrative is carried by voices from schools across six countries that are currently delivering. They tell it how it is, in lived reality. Every process in the book has been tested and refined under the heat of practice, addressing the current realities in education. The book provides a carefully selected repertoire of skills, models, and processes that: deliver results for children, teachers, school leaders, families, and their communities; build trust through ensuring every voice is heard and respected; develop a strong culture of leadership and alignment, while recognising and embracing the complexities of school change; and address the frustrations currently felt by teachers in a positive, productive way. Schools That Deliver fills the gap between intention and delivery. The book respects your voice, and your ability to create your own ways of delivering while remaining loyal to the unique personality of your school. When members of a school community deliver together what really matters for their children, they feel the true joy of education, that splendid feeling of professional satisfaction and achievement that we all deserve.
Foreword by Arthur L. Costa Acknowledgements About the Authors Introduction Voices Our Learning Journey Our Wording Chapter 1. The Hidden Power of Alignment All of Us Have a Stake in This The Core of Change That May Work for Individuals, But How About Teams? Alignment in Schools and in Life Explanatory Power: Two Models Collaboration and Challenge Alignment Versus Agreement When Voices Are Heard That Are Usually Stilled Introduction to Shared Visioning Shared Vision Creation Process A Year of 'Preparation for Action' Designing the Long-Term School Development Plan Identification of Core Values Our Shared Vision as an Alignment Tool Summary Chapter 2. The Real Work Fresh Eyes What Is Our 'Return on Investment' in Schools? The Basis for the Curriculum Our Life Lessons About the Real Work of Schools So, What Do You Think Is Your Real Work? Who Knows the Real Work? Social Constructivism Staying Honest to the Real Work: Evidence-Based Decision Making Summary Chapter 3. Leadership Leadership as Disposition or Position? Leading Versus Managing The Eight Leadership Challenges The Joy of Leadership Summary Chapter 4. Authentic Action Action Is What Matters The Knowledge Base for Action Openness to Learning and Confidence to Learn Credibility and Credibility Killers The High-Leverage Drivers of Authentic Action What Does Whole School Accountability Look Like? Summary Chapter 5. Core Values and Culture Does Your School Live by Your Core Values? A Culture of Ownership A Culture of Inclusion A Culture of Caring A Culture of Trust A Culture of Questioning A Culture of Coaching A Strong Adult Professional Culture A Culture of Innovation A Culture of Symbols A Culture of Story A Culture of Celebrating Learning Journeys Summary Chapter 6. Schools Are Part of the Community Balancing Life's Complexities Working Together Family: The Parent/Caregiver as Learner Parents as Partners in Their Child's Learning Thunderbolts Will Challenge Us All Relationships With the Media Mutually Productive Activities With the Wider Community Summary Appendices Appendix 1. Consensus Building: Inquiry Probe Tools Appendix 2. Sample Shared Visions and Research (Preparation for Action) Themes Appendix 3. The Long-Term School Development Plan Appendix 4. Sample Personal Visions References Index
